By Joshua Bova (Jbova) on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 05:02 am: Edit

Yellow Check Engine light is on (not flashing) so what next? In the last week and a half, I have replaced The cap, rotor, plugs, wires and O2 sensors. So it makes sense that with all that new stuff in there to make everything happy the light would come on last night.

I have heard that the light is "pre-programmed" to come on at certain mile markers, I can't see how that is possible as the odometer is mechanical and as far as I can tell, not hooked into the OBD system which would be the thing turning on the light. But for arguments sake, I turned 84,450 last night. Is this some special anniversary?

Thanks.

-josh

By Ron on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 05:06 am: Edit

Service engine (red light) is preprogrammed (52,500 and 105 I think). I am guessing that you have a loss plug wire. Double check all of them. happened to us when the DEALER installed the f in wires and one popped off. I put it back on and after three temp cylces the light went off again.

Ron

By Joshua Bova (Jbova) on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 05:18 am: Edit

Good idea, I did just put on some Magnecore 8mm wires, I am not beyond screwing that up, but I would have thought I would have felt the mis-fire. But then again, there are eight cylinders, could be. I am going to check that now.

-josh

By Joshua Bova (Jbova) on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 06:18 am: Edit

Well that wasn't it. Next. -josh

By Ron on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 07:41 am: Edit

First,
Double check the boots on the wires. The magnecor boots are thick and don't like to go on right. You should physically push down on each to check.

Second,
The only thing I can think of is the O2 sensors or possibly a bad plug but that would be rare. I assume you gapped the plugs? I know they are set out of the box but sometimes they get dropped and messed up that way. I would say O2 sensors as my second guess.

I generally ignore the light and hope it goes away after three temp cycles. If it comes back on then I start looking hard. It could be that the new stuff threw it off and it is actually fine.

Ron

PS I felt the misfire only at low rpms. Any other symptoms we should know about.

By lance on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 08:00 am: Edit

I have the same prob. and I have replaced o2 sensors, plugs, wires etc. nothing does it? any more ideas? also I had the dealer shut if off a few times but sure enough it comes right back before I need another oil change so less than 3k miles!

By Joshua Bova (Jbova) on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 08:06 am: Edit

I can't feel anything different in terms of performance, no odd sounds. I will go over all the plugs when I get home and make sure they are all in tight. Had plugs back out of a Miata I had(wife's car). But that let me know it with a good bit of noise. I hate idiot lights, can't tell if there is something wrong with the car or the light.

What would a dealer charge to reset the light?

How do I read the codes in the OBD? (95 disco)

Thanks,

-josh

By Ron on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 08:14 am: Edit

The light will reset itself after the engine gets up to temp three times. If it comes back on it is a recurring fault and something (in theory) is wrong.

By lance on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 08:26 am: Edit

the dealer will reset for free when you have them do a diagnostic( depending on the dealer?)and I also have that low rpm mis fire (kind of a slight hesitation when you floor it from an idle.

By Joshua Bova (Jbova) on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 09:06 am: Edit

What does a "diagnostic" cost. Is there a way to reset it myself?

-josh

By Ron on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 09:08 am: Edit

What does a "diagnostic" cost. Is there a way to reset it myself?

Usually 1/2 to 1hour of labor. Ya wait three temp cycles.

Ron

By Joshua Bova (Jbova) on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 09:25 am: Edit

$90 to turn off the light. $.50 for a whole roll of electrical tape.

-josh

By Frank on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 09:34 am: Edit

Might be the purge valve.

By Joshua Bova (Jbova) on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 10:42 am: Edit

Apparently that is something I am not familiar with. Maybe different terminology. Please explain.

-josh

By ross on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 10:52 am: Edit

the check engine light comes on when there is a diagnostic problem. then the dealer hooks up his little laptop and tell you what the problem is.
the laptop retrieves info so you did not do anything wrong there may be most likely an emission related problem.

By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 11:36 am: Edit

i thought i heard that a loose gas cap can throw a code. if you're going for broke try that.

rd

By Cal on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 01:02 pm: Edit

Josh,
I paid $41.00 to have the dealer tell me what the code was and turn it off.
I need a new prom chip.
41 dollars for your piece of mind ain't bad.